The most exciting NHL 16 details

Monday, June 29, 2015 1:33:45 AM America/Los_Angeles

The NHL 16 reveal didn’t answer a lot of questions compared to what EA Sports showed off for Madden 16 and FIFA 16, but after a lot of digging we are able to share exciting NHL 16 details that gamers need to know.

NHL 16 delivers a return to several features that gamers missed on NHL 15 last year and a focus on team-play that can deliver online and on the couch multiplayer moments. We also get to play in the new EA Sports Hockey League (EASHL) with an updated version of the online team mode for the Xbox One and PS4.

Although EA announced many of the NHL 16 features in May, we are slowly learning about other small additions to gameplay that fans of the series will be pleased to learn about. Even though many of these changes didn’t make the highlight reel on stage at E3 2015, we think you’ll appreciate the many small upgrades that are quite exciting for NHL fans.

The NHL 16 release is on Xbox One and PS4, but there is a legacy edition for older consoles. This is not the new game, but a mix of gameplay modes from earlier NHL games combined with updated rosters and schedules for the new season.

Here are the most exciting NHL 16 details that you need to know about now.

9 Exciting NHL 16 DetailsNHL 16 Release Date Confirmed

. NHL 16 Gameplay TrailerAt the EA E3 2015 press conference EA Sports revealed a new NHL 16 gameplay trailer. This is not completely gameplay, as much of the trailer is cinematic, but you get an idea of what the game engine is capable of.

We are hopeful that EA will soon release more details about the actual gameplay in NHL 16 that shows off the new features like puck handling, dekes, and more.

.NHL 16 Offline Single Player Modes

There are single player modes in NHL 16 that allow gamers to play offline and alone. This is a nice option for those of us who don't have the time or desire to immerse ourselves into an online arena in every game that we buy.

"We have focused a lot of attention to our offline game modes in NHL 16 by adding features from previous iterations, while creating new experiences that we hope all are fans will enjoy." writes Andy Agostini, Associate Producer at EA Sports, describing the options in NHL 16.

The short video above walks through the NHL 16 single player offline options that arrive in September. The new modes include Season Mode to play with any of the 10 leagues all the way through playoffs. HUT also includes Single Player Seasons for a fantasy experience without playing online.

Agostini also shares, "Be A GM has AHL/NHL integration, Fantasy Draft, Sim Intervention and a brand new feature in Player Morale. Be a Pro has the return of Sim to Next Shift, CHL/AHL integration, and a brand new player progression system."

.Female Players in NHL 16

EA did not announce this on stage, but we discovered that there is an option to create a female character in NHL 16. This comes after EA added Women's International teams to FIFA 16, but in this mode you are not playing with a team of women hockey players.

In the short demonstration we don't see any other female character customization options, but this is something that many players will appreciate.

.NHL 16 Player Customization and Creation

EA Sport delivers more customization options for player creation. You cannot scan your face, but there are a lot of things that you can control to create a player that is all your own.

The video below outlines creating a player from the backstory and personal information to incredibly detailer appearance changes including face, eyes and facial hair,

"Yes. Customization is something that we are going to continuously build upon year on year. The video here will give you more information about customization in NHL 16" explains Sean Ramjagsingh, Senior Producer on the NHL 16 team at EA Sports.

.NHL 16 Action Tracker Replays

The Action Tracker is back in NHL 16 so that you can go back and watch a replay of any important event after the game is over.

"NHL 16 will allow a user to access specific highlights through the Action Tracker which tracks all hits, shots, penalties and goals in a game and allows the user to then select them and view them." shares Andy Agostini, Associate Producer on NHL 16.

.NHL 16 Celebrations & Stadiums

In NHL 16 EA delivers an upgraded experience with goal celebrations that mirror what you experience in the actual stadium and deliver a more realistic stadium environment that pulls in the quirks and special parts of each stadium.

When the New York Islanders score the crowd will chant, "Yes Yes Yes!" and Chelsea Dagger will play when the Blackhawks score a goal.

Ben Ross, Associate Producer of NHL 16 shares how EA is working on delivering better goal moments, "We are doing our best this year to get the moments around goals for each team as authentic as possible. A big focus has gone into that area and we have definitely paid close attention to the fan sites dedicated to teams unique goal moment presentation."

From a stadium perspective Rogers Arena will include stanchion lights and a lighthouse in the Minnesota Wild stadium.

.NHL 16 Goalie ControlsNHL 16 delivers a new way to control goalies which adds to the realism and there are new options to be a better goalie. Ross explains some of the major upgrades to goalies in NHL 16.

"In NHL 16 there is a brand new way to control goalies. We have added all new motion capture which allows for much more realistic motion when moving in the crease. You can now decide between controlled strides and longer t-pushes. If you want to track a single skater with the puck or push over quickly to track a cross ice pass, you now have the tools to do so.

You are also accountable for your momentum so pushing back the other way in butterfly is different than pushing from a still position since you have to recoil first which makes you much more accountable for staying in control. We have also improved the ability to push into saves so that you don't feel locked in or stopped by the AI."

This is in addition to the new player controls and new animations and poses for goalies in NHL 16.

.Easier to Get StartedPlayers who are new to NHL 16 can learn how to play faster in the actual game thanks to the On-Ice Visual Trainer. This is a new in-game mode that teaches users how to play and what to do using on screen visuals.

As you learn the basics the game will adapt and start to show you more advanced On-Ice Visual Training prompts that will help you improve even more. This is an exciting addition to NHL 16 that should help new players enjoy the game more.